TSEA RED DIAMOND CONGRESS LAUNCHED TO VOICE EXHIBITORS’ NEEDS The Trade Show Exhibitors Association announces the first Red Diamond Congress in Orlando, FL, April 25 – 27, 2010.  Its mission is to bring together senior level exhibit and event professionals from leading companies to help define and shape the future of face-to-face marketing.  The two-day conference will produce preliminary measures on how to remedy the exhibition industry from an exhibitor perspective so face-to-face events will continue to be an important part of the overall marketing mix.   The purpose of the Red Diamond Congress is to initiate change by voicing the needs of exhibiting companies to other stakeholders of the exhibition industry (i.e., show organizers; destinations; general contractors; exhibitor appointed contractors; housing companies; convention centers; etc.)   Exhibitors have been excluded from many of these discussions and this will be the first arena solely for exhibitors to step up and speak.  Trade show producers will be invited into the second half of the Congress to begin an honest dialogue between the two primary stakeholders of the industry. This first Congress will focus on three key areas: 1) Convention housing practices; 2) Independent third-party audits of trade show attendance; and 3) Labor practices. Generous support from organizations including the Orange County Convention Center; Orange County Convention and Tourism Bureau; George P. Johnson; Skyline Exhibits; Exhibit Surveys; Pictura Graphics; Walt Disney World ® Resort; and Universal Orlando® Resort have enabled the Red Diamond Congress to become a reality.  Registration for the Congress is only $199 for members of TSEA.   Registration for the TSEA Red Diamond Congress is limited.  To apply to attend the Congress please email advocacy@tsea.org or call +1 312.842.TSEA (8732).  TSEA's Inaugural Face-to-Face Connections a Success Strategic Sourcing Event for Exhibition and Events Industry hailed as “innovative,” “successful” and “fun.”   The Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA)’s inaugural Face-to-Face Connections™, the first strategic sourcing event for the exhibit and event industry, was proclaimed a success by all participants. The event was held January 6-8, 2010 in Dallas, TX and was specifically designed to bring buyers and sellers together to determine potential for a business match.   All participants benefited from valuable networking time with only two days out of the office by utilizing an efficient and cost-effective approach to a sales meeting.  Participants met in pre-planned, 30-minute sessions that were private, focused and results-oriented.  As one guest praised, “Incredible event!  This is what we have needed forever!  How could you ever qualify so many potential vendors in a day?”  Other guests concurred.   Sourcing events such as Face-to-Face Connections™ are becoming more common but this is the first time for companies that use face-to-face marketing to promote their products and services.  All guests attended 10–14 meetings with sellers that truly matched up with their current needs.       Vendors were equally complimentary about the event. Each seller scheduled 10–15 meetings with buyers who were prescreened, qualified, decision makers and had specific needs for their products and services. They were provided a private space with no distractions for their discussions.  One seller gushed, “Great environment to generate new business. (We) could never get this kind of one-on-one attention with prospects anywhere else.”  All agreed they would generate, at minimum, several new customers as a result of the event.   For more information about becoming a vendor or attendee at the next Face-to-Face Connections,™  please contact the Trade Show Exhibitors Association via email at face2face@tsea.org or call +1 312 842-TSEA (8732).